FAMILY ENGAGEMENT & ERSEA MANAGER

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Reporting to the Exec Dir-Child Development Services, the Family Engagement & ERSEA Manager is responsible for facilitating family engagement to enhance children's school readiness, aligning with the Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework and manages the implementation of Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance (ERSEA) policies and procedures developed in accordance with the Head Start performance standards and Chicago Early Learning Implementation Standards.  Performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

· Develops strong relationships with a team of cross-functional leaders to implement a family and community engagement strategy, aiming to cultivate a network of district-wide stakeholders who value and support these initiatives.

· Collaborates with family support staff to effectively manage family and community engagement initiatives, setting clear and ambitious performance goals for the team.

· Regularly interfaces with CCC-CDLS management, grantee support staff, and content area coordinators to integrate family and community engagement seamlessly into all program operations.

· Leads all program functions related to Enrollment, Recruitment, Selection, Eligibility and Attendance (ERSEA).

· Implements, oversees, and manages continuous quality improvements related to the district’s family engagement strategy.

· Supports program services and plays a key role in integrating and coordinating cross-functional communication among teams and individuals responsible for family and community engagement.

· Manages various components of Head Start and Early Head Start enrollment, recruitment, selection, eligibility, and attendance (ERSEA) status reports.  Investigates problem areas and provides technical assistance as needed.

· Monitors direct casework services to families to ensure that appropriate action is taken and make necessary recommendations; audits program files to ensure eligibility requirements are met and proper documentation is maintained.

· Develops and oversees the implementation of the district’s policies, standards, and protocols related to family and community engagement to create a culture aligned with the district’s vision for this area.

· Guides the implementation of the Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement framework across program operations, ensuring alignment with funding and accreditation guidelines such as Preschool for All, NAEYC, and Excelerate.

· Manages the implementation of the research-based Parents as Teachers curriculum, integrating it to support effective parental involvement in their children’s learning and development.

· Establishes a professional development system that supports staff in implementing district-wide services, offering guidance through reflective supervision, professional development planning, ongoing training, and technical assistance to ensure family and community engagement practices are embedded in day-to-day operations.

· Collaborates with parent organizations, non-profits, and advocacy groups to strengthen family and community engagement, leveraging their strengths to support district efforts. 

· Ensures cost-effective operations of family and community engagement programs, compiling cost estimates based on program needs.

· Implements a feedback loop with stakeholders to gather input and to assess progress on the district’s family and community engagement strategy, focusing on continuous quality improvement and accountability to ensure adherence to program expectations through data-driven improvements.

· Attends relevant meetings and conferences to stay abreast of research and trends, representing the program’s perspective and providing updates on findings and strategies.

· Performs related duties as assigned.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports To                       Executive Director – Child Development Services

Direct Supervision          None

QUALIFICATIONS

· Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Child Development, Social Work, Social Services, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.

· Two years of experience in an Early Childhood Education setting.

· Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Family Specialist Credential, Level 5 required.

· A combination of education and experience may be taken into consideration based on the applicant’s credentials.

· Familiarity with the Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework preferred

· Familiarity with strategies and best practices to engage families and the broader community in educational settings, ideally with a focus on early childhood education

· Demonstrated skill in cultivating positive relationships with parents and the community

· Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and time-management skills

· Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with children, parents, community members, and colleagues

· Ability to work effectively with staff, community groups, and culturally diverse families

· Ability to adapt to changing assignments and program requirements while maintaining flexibility

· Willingness to embrace guidance and pursue continuous professional development

· Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment

· Must be able and willing to travel to multiple CCC sites in diverse communities

· Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

WE OFFER: Excellent health and welfare benefit package and long-term savings and investment programs including 403(b) & 457(b) Investment Plans and a pension plan with the State University Retirement System (SURS) Plan. Generous vacation, holiday, personal and sick days, and tuition reimbursement. For a more detailed overview of benefits, please visit the benefits page of our website. 

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6 months of hire.

Thank you for your interest in CCC!